Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Department of Home has declared the manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and transportation of pharmaceutical products and their components as an “essential service” under the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988.
The government stated that any strike or disruption in these activities would severely affect the supply of medicines and essential drugs, which are critical to public health. “Such interruptions would prejudicially affect the maintenance of supplies and services necessary for the life of the community and result in grave hardship,” the notification read.
By bringing the pharmaceutical sector under ESMA, the government has ensured that strikes or stoppages in the industry can be legally prohibited to safeguard uninterrupted availability of medicines and related products.
